Provocations will only further isolate North Korea, said US President Barack Obama early Wednesday in his State of the Union speech, which was devoted mainly to domestic US affairs. Likewise, he added, Iran must recognize that “now is the time for a diplomatic solution and we will do what is necessary to prevent them getting a nuclear weapon.”

In a radio interview Wednesday, US Ambassador Dan Shapiro, asked if the US president would urge Israel not to attack Iran in his coming visit, replied, ”Our full coordination on the military, intelligence and government levels will continue as before for the purpose of preventing a nuclear Iran – if possible by diplomacy, if not by any means on the table.”

Regarding that visit, the US president said the messages he would deliver were: “We’ll keep the pressure on a Syrian regime that has murdered its own people and support opposition leaders that respect the rights of every Syria. And we will stand steadfast with Israel in pursuit of security and a lasting peace.” In Egypt, he said, “we can and will insist on respect for the fundamental rights of all people.”
On the US economy, Obama stressed “our first priority is making America a magnet for new jobs and manufacturing.”